Doctors have slammed the unwillingness of quad bike manufacturers to make their vehicles safer.

New safety standards require quad bikes to be fitted with operator protection devices (OPDs) from October next year.

However, the companies that make the bikes are not willing to play ball, leading Polaris, Yamaha and Honda to announce they will pull out of the quad bike Australian market.

Polaris Inc Australia and New Zealand managing director Alan Collins says there is “no reliable science, data or research to support the safety benefits of the OPDs”.

“The safety standard is required for people to fit an OPD device for which there is no Australian or global standard and we actually believe the OPD could create as many injuries as it prevents,” Mr Collins said.

“When you consider the things that could happen - that style of device itself could injure an operator if they come off the vehicle.

“The bikes are operating on farms quite often with foliage and trees, so having something that protrudes high over the height of the operator and the vehicle is also fraught with danger.

“The vehicles themselves haven't been designed to carry such a device, so we don't support fitting them at all, whether they are fitted at a factory level, by the dealer or by the customer.”

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA) has accused quad bike manufacturers of not valuing lives.

“OPDs absolutely save lives, and any debate around this issue is completely crazy,” said RDAA president Dr John Hall.

“Anyone who lives in the bush knows somebody that has either been injured, killed or had a near miss on a quad bike.

“They are incredibly useful on the farm but also so dangerous.

“Just because there are some manufacturers having a tantrum because we don't want Australians to die on their bikes is no reason to compromise on the new requirements.

“Farming is a risky enough occupation as it is and the idea that making one of the most commonly used farm vehicles that are well known to be dangerous, more safe is a bad idea? Well it's patently ridiculous.

“As doctors we see not only the tragic consequences for the people that are severely injured or killed but also for their family, their friends and their community.

“We need to send a message. We value the lives of Australian farmers even if quad bike manufacturers don't.”

Dr Hall said the new standards are based on the best available science, medical advice and the recommendations of the ACCC, the NFF, Australian Medical Association, Royal College of Surgeons, RDAA, Royal Flying Doctor Service, National Rural Health Alliance, National Rural Women's Coalition, Country Women's Association of Australia, and the Australian Workers Union, among others.